World Changers Candidate (WCC), a non-profit anti-drug lobby group has teamed up with Hoerskool Elspark in Germiston to tackle the growing use of cannabis among kids of school-going age.

The school roped in WCC to contain a growing problem of cannabis usage amongst school kids. Elspark says it has recorded more than 50 dagga-related cases among its learners since the start of the year.

The campaign was launched as part of the "Say No to 420”, or “Dagga Day” as it has become known among  high school learners across the country.

Elspark Hoerskool acting principal Johan Visser told IOL News: "Because of the laws that allow dagga use, kids now think it is okay to smoke dagga and when they come to school, they influence one another...This affects their ability to study and their whole emotional being and they become aggressive...So, we have partnered with World Changers Candidates, an organisation that works with learners affected by dagga."

Visser said that at the least, the school holds no less than four dagga-related hearings and disciplinary processes against learners per week.

Noma Ndabula, chairperson of the school's governing body and social worker social worker indicated that the cannabis use was a growing problem at schools.

"We are facing a big dagga problem and when World Changers Candidates became aware, we saw it fit to bring them on board to help us with combatting drug addiction.

“What is even more painful is that learners from the ages of 13 are taking dagga and some of them are girls which is even more painful. Through this programme, we are hopeful that it will help us keep our learners clean and free from drugs," she added

WCC says social media and peer-driven trends are glamorising cannabis like never before. In South Africa, peer pressure is among the top contributing factors for youths with higher level of drug use. It says that “420 is no harmless celebration, but a symbol of a growing health crisis”.

“Learners face relentless exposure to the glofication of cannabis, especially around 420” WCC spokesperson Lucas Mhlakgane said. “We’re stepping in where the danger is most acute – our schools”.

The WCC used 420 Day, this year, Easter Sunday, to rally churches across South Africa to deliver anti-drug sermons and host youth workshops.

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